La Laguna

Though Santa Cruz is Tenerife’s modern capital, historically the capital was La Laguna. It remains one of the most beautiful cities on the island, not to mention a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city center boasts pastel-colored mansions and historic churches like the Church of the Immaculate Conception. For a look at the history of the island, stop at the Tenerife History Museum, which has maps and artifacts on display within a historic 16th-century mansion.